Odor control product dispenser

Abstract

Odor control product dispenser includes a cabinet having a removable front cover for directly accessing both an upper fan compartment and a lower product compartment from the front. A fan in the fan compartment draws air in through a fan shroud surrounding the fan and directs the air downwardly into the product compartment for flow across an exposed surface of the odor control product in the second compartment and subsequent discharge through air vents in the front and sides of the cabinet. The odor control product is contained in a well in one end of a disposable container. Within the well are a plurality of circumferentially spaced pinwheel type baffles that increase the turbulence of the air flowing across the product as the product evaporates to accelerate the rate of evaporation as the product loses its potency (effectiveness) with age. Also, the product shrinks away from the baffles to increase the surface area of the product exposed to the air and thus the rate of evaporation of the product as the effectiveness of the product diminishes. In the end of the container opposite the well is a battery compartment containing a battery which provides the power source for driving the fan motor. Cooperating surfaces on the container and dispenser properly orient the battery within the product compartment and maintain the battery terminals in contact with motor contact strips in the second compartment.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Odor control product dispenser apparatus comprising a cabinet including a first compartment containing a centrifugal fan and motor, a second compartment juxtaposed to said first compartment and containing a disposable container means, first and second vent means for respectively venting said first and second compartments to the atmosphere, a shroud surrounding said fan, said shroud having axial inlet openings through which air is drawn by said fan through said first vent means and radial discharge opening means through which air is forced radially outwardly by said fan into said second compartment for flow past the disposable container means in said second compartment and discharged through said second vent means, said disposable container means having a well in one end containing odor control product means, said well having an open top exposing said odor control product means to the air flowing through said second compartment, and support means within said second compartment for supporting said container means with said open top of said well facing said radial discharge opening means and in substantial axial alignment therewith, whereby substantially all of the air entering said second compartment through said radial discharge opening means flows past said odor control product means prior to being discharged through said second vent means. 
     
     
       2. The dispenser apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cabinet includes a back wall having a partition extending forwardly therefrom dividing said cabinet into said first and second compartments, and said support means comprises a bottom shelf within said second compartment spaced from said partition for supporting said container means in said second compartment with said open top of said well facing said radial discharge opening means a predetermined distance from said radial discharge opening means. 
     
     
       3. The dispenser apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a battery compartment in another end of said container means opposite said well containing a battery, said battery having terminals at opposite ends thereof, said battery compartment being open at opposite ends thereof exposing said battery terminals to said second compartment, and said second compartment having contact strips for engaging said battery terminals when said container means is supported in said second compartment, and wire means connecting said contact strips to said motor. 
     
     
       4. The dispenser apparatus of claim 3 wherein said battery compartment is formed by a transverse slot in said another end of said container means opposite said well, said transverse slot having a length extending from one side of said container means to a second side of said container means opposite said one side said transverse slot having an opening along said length for insertion of said battery lengthwise into said slot with said battery terminals exposed at the opposite ends of said slot for engagement with said contact strips, and retainer means on said container means for releasably retaining said battery in said slot. 
     
     
       5. The dispenser apparatus of claim 4 further comprising tab means on said container means overlapping the opposite ends of said slot to prevent said battery from sliding sideways out of said slot. 
     
     
       6. The dispenser apparatus of claim 3 wherein said container means and said cabinet comprise means for keying said container means within said second compartment to locate said container means in a position in which said battery terminals are in proper alignment with said contact strips. 
     
     
       7. The dispenser apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for keying comprises a projection on said back wall of said cabinet extending forwardly into said second compartment, and a radial slot in said another end of said container means opposite said well extending generally perpendicular to said transverse slot, said projection being engageable in said radial slot to orient said container means within said second compartment. 
     
     
       8. The dispenser apparatus of claim 7 wherein said radial slot intersects said transverse slot intermediate the opposite ends thereof, and said projection has a forward end with a partially rounded contour extending into said transverse slot for supporting said battery in said transverse slot. 
     
     
       9. The dispenser apparatus of claim 4 wherein said cabinet comprises means for preventing movement of said container means perpendicular to said support means thus preventing said battery terminals from riding up over said contact strips when said container means is inserted in said second compartment. 
     
     
       10. The dispenser apparatus of claim 9 wherein said means for preventing said battery terminals from riding up over said contact strips comprises pin means extending from said back wall of said cabinet forwardly within said second compartment, said pin being spaced from said bottom shelf a distance approximately equal to the overall length of said container means, said pin means overlapping said one end of said container means when said container means is inserted in said second compartment. 
     
     
       11. The dispenser apparatus of claim 1 wherein said well has an annular side wall and bottom wall, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced baffles extend generally radially inwardly from said side wall and vertically upwardly from said bottom wall toward said open top of said well. 
     
     
       12. Odor control product dispenser apparatus comprising a cabinet including a back wall having a partition extending forwardly therefrom intermediate the length of said back wall dividing said cabinet into first and second compartments, said first compartment containing a centrifugal fan and motor assembly, first and second vent means for respectively venting said first and second compartments to the atmosphere, a shroud surrounding said fan, said shroud having axial inlet openings through which air is drawn by said fan through said first vent means and radial discharge opening means for directing substantially all of the air that is forced radially outwardly by said fan into said second compartment, support means within said second compartment for supporting odor control product means for exposure to the air flowing through said second compartment prior to discharge through said second vent means, said cabinet including an open front, and a front cover extending over said open front said first and second vent means comprising a grill on said front cover for venting said first and second compartments to the atmosphere through said grill said grill being removable from said front cover, and means on said grill and front cover providing a snap connection between said grill and front cover to permit attachment and removal of said grill without the use of any tools. 
     
     
       13. Odor control product dispenser apparatus comprising a cabinet including a back wall having a partition extending forwardly therefrom intermediate the length of said back wall dividing said cabinet into first and second compartments, first and second vent means for respectively venting said first and second compartments to the atmosphere, passage means between said first and second compartments, fan means in said first compartment for drawing air through said first vent means and discharging such air through said passage means into said second compartment and out through said second vent means, and container means in said second compartment containing odor control product means, said container means having an open top exposing said odor control product means to the air flowing through said second compartment prior to discharge through said second vent means, and support means within said second compartment for supporting said container means with said open top facing said passage means and in substantial alignment therewith, whereby substantially all of the air entering said second compartment through said passage means flows past said odor control product means prior to being discharged through said second vent means. 
     
     
       14. The dispenser apparatus of claim 13 wherein said container means includes a well in one end containing said odor control product means and a battery compartment in another end containing a battery, said battery having terminals at opposite ends, said battery compartment having opening means exposing said battery terminals to said second compartment, and said second compartment having contact strips for engaging said battery terminals when said container means is supported in said second compartment, and wire means connecting said contact strips to said fan means. 
     
     
       15. The dispenser apparatus of claim 14 wherein said battery compartment is formed by a transverse slot in said another end of said container means, said transverse slot having a length extending from one side of said container means to a second side of said container opposite said one side, said transverse slot being open along said length for insertion of said battery lengthwise into said transverse slot with said battery terminals exposed at the opposite ends of said slot for engagement with said contact strips, and retainer means on said container means for releasably retaining said battery in said slot. 
     
     
       16. The dispenser apparatus of claim 15 further comprising tab means on said container means overlapping said opposite ends of said slot to prevent said battery from sliding sideways out of said slot. 
     
     
       17. The dispenser apparatus of claim 15 further comprising orienting means on said container means and said cabinet for orienting said container means within said second compartment to ensure contact between said contact strips and said battery terminals. 
     
     
       18. The dispenser apparatus of claim 17 wherein said orienting means comprises a projection on said back wall of said cabinet extending forwardly into said second compartment, and a radial slot in said another end of said container means for  receipt of said projection, said radial slot extending generally perpendicular to said transverse slot. 
     
     
       19. The dispenser apparatus of claim 18 wherein said radial slot intersects said transverse slot intermediate the opposite ends thereof, and said projection has a partially rounded forward end wall extending into said transverse slot for supporting said battery in said transverse slot. 
     
     
       20. The dispenser apparatus of claim 18 further comprising pin means extending forwardly from said back wall into said second compartment, said pin means closely overlying said one end of said container means when said container means is inserted into said second compartment to prevent said battery terminals from riding up over said contact strips. 
     
     
       21. The dispenser apparatus of claim 13 wherein said second vent means comprises side vent means through opposite sides of said cabinet in line with said second compartment for venting said second compartment to the atmosphere through said side vent means. 
     
     
       22. The dispenser apparatus of claim 13 wherein said cabinet has an open front, and a front cover over said open front, said first and second vent means comprising grill means on said front cover for venting said first and second compartments to the atmosphere through said grill means. 
     
     
       23. The dispenser apparatus of claim 22 wherein said second vent means further comprises side vent means through opposite sides of said front cover and cabinet in line with said second compartment for venting said second compartment to the atmosphere through said side vent means as well as through said grill means. 
     
     
       24. The dispenser apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a plurality of spaced apart baffles in said well in said container means. 
     
     
       25. Odor control product dispenser apparatus comprising a cabinet including a back wall having a partition extending forwardly therefrom intermediate the length of said back wall dividing said cabinet into first and second compartments, said first compartment containing a centrifugal fan and motor, first and second vent means for respectively venting said first and second compartments to the atmosphere, a shroud surrounding said fan, said shroud having axial inlet openings through which air is drawn by said fan through said first vent means and radial discharge opening means in said shroud for directing substantially all of the air that is forced radially outwardly by said fan into said second compartment, container means in said second compartment containing odor control product means, said container means having an open top exposing said odor control product means to the air flowing through said second compartment prior to discharge through said second vent means, and support means in said second compartment for supporting said container means with said open top facing said radial discharge opening means and in substantial alignment therewith, whereby substantially all of the air entering said second compartment through said radial discharge opening means flows past said odor control product means prior to being discharged through said second vent means. 
     
     
       26. The dispenser apparatus of claim 25 wherein said fan is eccentrically offset with respect to said shroud to produce a venturi effect that boosts the speed of the air being discharged by said fan through said radial discharge opening means into said second compartment. 
     
     
       27. The dispenser apparatus of claim 25 further comprising regulator means on said shroud for adjusting the amount of air flow being drawn through said axial inlet openings in said shroud by said fan. 
     
     
       28. The dispenser apparatus of claim 27 wherein said regulator means comprises an annular disk rotatably mounted on said shroud in overlying relation to said axial inlet openings, said disk having a plurality of openings therein to vary the amount of air flow through said axial inlet openings. 
     
     
       29. The dispenser apparatus of claim 28 wherein the size, number and location of said openings in said disk substantially correspond to the axial inlet openings in said shroud, whereby when said openings in said disk are in alignment with said axial inlet openings in said shroud, said axial inlet openings are fully open. 
     
     
       30. The dispenser apparatus of claim 29 wherein web-like members are provided between said openings in said disk to at least partially cover said axial inlet openings in said shroud when said openings in said disk are moved out of direct alignment with said axial inlet openings in said shroud. 
     
     
       31. The dispenser apparatus of claim 30 wherein said axial inlet openings in said shroud are larger than said web-like members between said openings in said disk, whereby said axial openings always remain at least partially open regardless of the rotational position of said disk relative to said axial inlet openings in said shroud. 
     
     
       32. The dispenser apparatus of claim 28 further comprising means on said disk and said shroud for providing a snap connection between said disk and shroud to permit attachment and removal of said disk without the use of any tools. 
     
     
       33. The dispenser apparatus of claim 25 wherein said shroud has a bottom wall extending forwardly from and forming a continuation of said partition, said radial discharge opening means being in said bottom wall adjacent a forward end of said partition. 
     
     
       34. The dispenser apparatus of claim 25 wherein said partition is a first partition and said cabinet further comprises a second another partition extending forwardly from said back wall in spaced relation from said first partition for partitioning off a portion of said first compartment, said partitions having first sides facing each other and second sides facing away from each other, and said shroud having a pair of rearwardly extending flanges overlying said second sides of said partitions. 
     
     
       35. The dispenser apparatus of claim 34 further comprising means on said shroud flanges and said partitions for providing a snap connection between said shroud flanges and partitions to facilitate attachment and removal of said shroud without the use of any tools. 
     
     
       36. The dispenser apparatus of claim 25 wherein said first compartment includes a boss extending forwardly from said back wall, said boss having a recess therein, and said motor having a cylindrical extension on one end which is slidably received in the recess in said boss. 
     
     
       37. The dispenser apparatus of claim 36 wherein the one end of said motor includes locating holes therein and said first compartment has pin means extending forwardly from said back wall radially outwardly of said boss which are received in the locating holes in said one end of said motor. 
     
     
       38. The dispenser apparatus of claim 36 wherein said first compartment has a pair of post means extending forwardly from said back wall on opposite sides of said boss, said post means having openings therein, and said motor has a motor support clip extending across a second end of said motor opposite said one end thereof, said motor support clip having an opening intermediate opposite ends thereof and spring-like fingers extending rearwardly from said opposite ends for snapping engagement into said openings in said post means for releasably mounting said motor in said first compartment, said motor having a motor shaft and shaft bearing extending through said opening in said motor support clip. 
     
     
       39. The dispenser apparatus of claim 25 wherein said motor has a motor shaft, and said fan includes an annular disk mounted for rotation on said motor shaft, said annular disk having a front face, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending fan blades on said front face. 
     
     
       40. The dispenser apparatus of claim 39 wherein each of said fan blades has a pair of substantially parallel flat sides extending substantially perpendicular to said front face, a radial outer edge extending substantially perpendicular to said front face, a radial inner edge sloping outwardly at an angle from said front face, and a top edge extending substantially straight and parallel to said front face. 
     
     
       41. The dispenser apparatus of claim 25 wherein said cabinet includes an open front, and a front cover extending over said open front, said first and second vent means comprising a grill on said front cover for venting said first and second compartments to the atmosphere through said grill. 
     
     
       42. The dispenser apparatus of claim 41 further comprising means on said front cover and said cabinet for providing a snap connection between said front cover and cabinet to permit attachment and removal of said front cover without the use of any tools. 
     
     
       43. The dispenser apparatus of claim 41 wherein said second vent means further comprises side vent means through opposite sides of said cabinet in line with said second compartment for venting said second compartment to the atmosphere along opposite sides of said second compartment as well as through said grill. 
     
     
       44. The dispenser apparatus of claim 41 wherein said shroud has a bottom wall which forms a continuation of said partition, said radial discharge opening means being in said bottom wall adjacent a forward end of said partition, and said bottom wall having a forwardly extending flange engaging said grill. 
     
     
       45. The dispenser apparatus of claim 44 wherein said grill has an imperforate section intermediate opposite ends thereof, said forwardly extending flange engaging said imperforate section to isolate said first compartment from said second compartment.